CHEBOYGAN — Like other fall sports, cross country season is here.
With multiple Cheboygan-area high school XC squads already logging plenty of miles and preparing for those big meets in the campaign, now is the time to look at the top returning runners in this area, both girls and boys.
Whether it’s Cheboygan, Inland Lakes, Mackinaw City or Onaway, runners on those respective teams have already had decorated careers, while others certainly have potential.
As XC action gets underway, here’s some of those key runners to watch.
BOYS
Russell Abernathy, Cheboygan, Senior — Slated to be Cheboygan’s top runner this fall, Abernathy has been a key scorer for the Chiefs since his freshman campaign. Abernathy will look to improve on a personal-best 18:10 time and perhaps become an all-Northern Shores Conference runner.
Duncan Spies, Cheboygan, Sophomore — Fresh off a solid freshman season that saw him run a personal-best 20:44, Spies will be one of the top runners for the Chiefs in 2026. Having logged plenty of miles this summer, it could be a big second varsity campaign for Spies.
Jose Castro, Cheboygan, Senior — Another Cheboygan runner who’s only gotten better throughout his career, Castro brings plenty of experience to a Cheboygan squad that graduated multiple key runners. One of the goals for Castro will be surpassing the personal-best 20:27 time he ran a season ago.
Logan Holden, Inland Lakes, Junior — An MHSAA Division 4 state qualifier and all-Ski Valley Conference first teamer a season ago, Holden is back as one of the best runners in the area. During last year’s Ski Valley meet, Holden finished fifth with a personal-best 18:07.
Knox Wilson, Mackinaw City, Sophomore — The Cheboygan Daily Tribune’s 2025 runner of the year returns after helping lead the Mackinaw City boys to their first appearance at a state meet since 2011. In addition to earning all-Northern Lakes and all-EUP honors, Wilson clocked a personal-best 18:09.7 in the state finals.
Kyle Valot, Mackinaw City, Senior — Another returnee from last season’s state-qualifying team, Valot brings back plenty of experience and hopes to top the 19:25 time he clocked at Michigan International Speedway.
Mikey Sullivan, Mackinaw City, Junior — Playing a key role in Mackinaw City’s boys qualifying for states was Sullivan, who ran a personal-best 19:05 at regionals a year ago.
Clayton VanOrman, Mackinaw City, Eighth Grade — One of the best young runners in the area during 2025 was VanOrman, who raced a personal-best 18:53 and did his part in the Comets qualifying for the state finals.
Deacon Szymoniak, Onaway, Sophomore — Making a huge jump as a freshman was Szymoniak, whose personal-best time of 19:24 helped him secure all-Ski Valley accolades.
Other XC boys to watch: Logan Hayden (Cheboygan), Tom Groya (Cheboygan), Abram Preston (Cheboygan), Matthew Marzolo (Onaway)
GIRLS
Briahna Campbell, Cheboygan, Senior — Having the best season of her career as a junior was Campbell, who earned 2025 all-Northern Shores Conference first team honors thanks to a personal-best 21:22, which was good enough for 10th overall. After just missing out on qualifying for the state finals last year, Campbell will seek qualification in her final season at Cheboygan.
Cloee Rupp, Cheboygan, Senior — One of Cheboygan’s most talented and experienced returning runners, Rupp has been a steady presence on the course during her career. An all-Northern Shores second team honoree a year ago, Rupp, who raced a personal-best 21:45 in 2025, has a solid chance to make the first team this fall. Rupp, along with Campbell, will form an impressive senior duo that will lead the program.
Ella LaRocque, Cheboygan, Senior — Another key runner with plenty of experience, LaRocque returns to the Chiefs after earning NSC honorable mention as a junior. Having clocked a personal-best 22:43 at regionals in 2025, LaRocque could be in for a solid senior year.
Josephine Furman, Inland Lakes, Sophomore — Qualifying for the state finals as a freshman a season ago was Furman, who ran a personal-best time of 20:55 at regionals and earned all-Ski Valley first team honors. With her sister Elizabeth out because of a long-term knee injury, Furman will look to be the top runner on the team.
Maggie Newman, Inland Lakes, Senior — A Bulldog who will be counted on to fill in during Elizabeth Furman’s absence, Newman had a strong junior year that saw her nearly qualify for the state finals. Newman will be aiming to beat the personal-best 22:49 she clocked at regionals a year ago.
Other XC girls to watch: Nadia Chandler (Cheboygan), Elleigh Wilson (Cheboygan), Mallory Ekdahl (Cheboygan), Emily Kruczynski (Mackinaw City), Ava Thompson (Mackinaw City), Deliah O’Meara (Onaway)
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: The Cheboygan-area high school cross country runners to watch in 2026
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
